Former Kenya Sevens and Kenya Harlequins player Alex Olaba has received an eight-year jail sentence for orchestrating a plan to murder a prosecution witness involved in his gang rape trial from four years ago.
Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, presiding over a city court, imposed the sentence on Olaba after finding him guilty on two charges: attempted murder and interference with witnesses.
Olaba is co-accused in the gang rape case along with former Kenya Rugby Sevens player Frank Wanyama, which is pending before the Milimani Chief Magistrates court.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate acknowledged Olaba's expression of remorse and his pledge to never commit a similar offense in the future.
However, he emphasized that the purpose of the sentence was to hold Olaba accountable for his actions and to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
Read More
"Although the accused person seems to be remorseful the offences he faces are serious offences. l, therefore, sentence him to serve six years in count one of conspiracy to commit conspiracy to kill and two years imprisonment in the second account of interference with judicial process. The sentences will run concurrently," Onsarigo ruled.
Olaba was incarcerated on May 10, 2023, following his conviction for attempting to murder crucial prosecution witnesses in his rape case.
"After evaluating the evidence on record, l find the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused. I, therefore, convict him accordingly," the magistrate stated.
Throughout the trial, prosecution witnesses, including investigating officer George Otieno, testified that Olaba made various direct and indirect attempts to contact a state witness in the gang rape case, intending to interfere with the ongoing trial.
When Olaba's attempts to elicit a favorable response failed, he resorted to unlawful and desperate measures in an attempt to silence the witness.
In 2022, an undercover detective arrested Olaba after the accuses tried to recruit him to perform hitman duties for him.
